Today (Friday, March 18) marks the third anniversary of my husband's prostatectomy. He sees his urologist/surgeon today for a 6 month check-up, and had his blood drawn on Tuesday for a 6 month PSA check. We got the excellent news on Wednesday that his PSA remains undetectable (our doctor uses the <0.1).

As many of you may remember, we had a bump in the road at the 17 month mark when John's PSA came back at 0.1, then 0.3 one month later. We began working on SRT, meeting with a lovely radiation oncologist and began planning for radiation. Both the urologist and rad onc wanted to have the third PSA test results before initiating treatment. In between, John had a bone scan which led to a CT scan...results were clean.

The third PSA - to confirm a recurrence - came back a few days before the initial set-up for SRT. The results showed that his PSA was back down to undetectable (<0.1)! The urologist called us at home on a Saturday to deliver this wonderful news...he wanted to check the PSA again in one month. That test also came back at undetectable, radiation treatment was deemed not necessary, and John went back on a 3 month PSA follow-up. Since that time (which was early Fall of 2009), John's PSA has stayed at <0.1.

Reading this board, it would seem that John was the exception. The urologist though said that this is more common than we're led to believe. Benign prostectic tissue often remains around the nerve bundles (in John's case, both nerve bundles were spared). Over time, this tissue can generate enough PSA to show up on a blood test. The PSA naturally dies off as does the benign tissue bringing the PSA level back to "zero." In our surgeon's mind, this is one of the reasons why he is not a fan of the so-called ultra-sensitive PSA tests. This is not a comment on the value or either assay just simply stating one doctor's opinion.

Sorry to retell this long saga but I know there are a fair number of new people here who are just beginning their journey. I share this to give them hope.

On a personal note, I extend a huge thank you (along with tons of hugs and kisses) to so many of my friends here who walked with us during our trials: Purgatory, Zufus, John T, Tony, James, Sonny, Corvetteman to name just a few.

I heard about Sephies' 'strange' PSA results on an other forum when I was having my own PSA rise. Happily, my developments have been similar to his so far. Hearing about Sephie has helped me to cope with my own situation. Radical prostactemy 10/2006 @42, PSA 3.9, Gleason 3+4PSA <0.2 2006-2009

Sephie, Congratulations - three years is a great milestone. I envy your calm cool decision making dealing with your husbands rising PSA. I thought about your circumstances many times while I was making my own decision. Good luck going forward.

All, thanks so much for your wonderfully good wishes...believe me, I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave over all who come here to help them through their fears and worries, and I wish I could hug each and everyone one of you during your trials.

Carlos, my post may sound like I was cool and calm but, believe me, I was not...I think I was more rattled by the "blip" in John's PSA 17 months after surgery than I was about the initial diagnosis. Perhaps that is because I knew so much more about this nasty disease than I did going in to the whole process. Hmmm...perhaps ignorance is bliss after all.

Pattersson, I didn't realize my husband's situation went "viral"...but I hope that his story (and mine because this is not a journey of one) has helped others facing similar situations.

Jeff, please do raise a glass (or three) for both of us...while we will not be there in person, we will be with you all in spirit.

Sonny, how wonderful to hear from you...I do hope you and your sweet Lynn are doing well. Believe me when I say you are both in my prayers regularly.

David, what can I say but thank you. You have been a rock to me and to many who visit our little corner of the world looking for hope and encouragement. I visit here more often than you know but simply don't post as often. There is such a wealth of information and comfort here from members that my two cents worth is often redundant. I have also found that PCa - dare I say it? - is no longer a primary focus in my day-to-day life. I think that's a good thing but it doesn't mean that I don't think about everyone here.

Thanks again guys and gals for your special way of caring about others.

I just saw your post - congratulations to you and John!!!Your story teaches all of us waiting for PSA results that even when there is a rise, there is hope.I am so pleased to hear that PCa is no longer the primary focus of your day to day life. That is where many of us aspire to be.

You were so kind and so supportive when I signed up to healing well last March, absolutely terrified about my husbands PSA numbers and the possibility he had PCa. I thank you for that and I am glad that you continue posting on this site.

Sephie & John, This is great news. I well remember that "bump" at the time it happened - and the incredible path it took - and it is an amazing outcome, but also an experience which must still give you chills when you think about it. Glad you are moving on with your life, and staying well. I talked to John in the chat room one night quite a while back, thinking it was you Sephie! And he was lovely....keep vigilant, and enjoy all the good things that come your way. Stay in touch when you can. Kind regards, Lana

Jonathan, thanks for the kind words. That's the beauty of this forum since each person goes through this disease differently.

Ed, Goodlife: yes, we are very happy and pleased with the results. When John visited with his uro/surgeon this past Friday, I asked him to tell the doctor thanks from me for doing such a good job. While John's stats going into surgery werent' bad...PSA of 6.4, Gleason 3+4, 2 out of 12 cores positive...one of those cores was very close to the edge of the prostate which had the surgeon a bit concerned. Fortunately (for us), he planned his approach to cut a wider than necessary margin in that area.

Lana, yes, my John is a sweetheart. We just celebrated our 30th anniversary in February and I truly do consider myself blessed to have him in my life. I've learned alot from him, and believe that he has made me a much better person.

An, you are more than welcome. I remember well when I first came to this forum and couldn't get the questions typed out fast enough. I would spend hours each day browsing through posts here and gleaming what I could from others experience and knowledge. What I've learned here has been invaluable.

great to hear good news.can anybody tell me how long after a radical can the cancer reoccur,i was told it was only about 2years unlike breast cancer which i think can reappear years after original treatment?

Don't really know the answer about PCa...as far as I know, I think that any cancer can reoccur at any time. I know that when my husband hit the two year mark after surgery, his urologist said this was an important milestone. However, PSA tests will be performed every 6 months until the fifth year, then he moves to an annual PSA check. In my mind that means that the first five years are the crucial ones in terms of recurrence, but that doesn't mean that the cancer won't rear its head again 10, 15 or 20 years later. Once you have been diagnosed with any cancer you need regular follow-ups with the doctor. I had basal cell (skin) cancer abut 6 years ago and still need a full body check every year with my dermatologist to look for signs that it has come back.

Great news Stephie,JT65 years old, rising psa for 10 years from 4 to 40; 12 biopsies and MRIS all negative. Oct 2009 DXed with G6 <5%. Color Doppler biopsy found 2.5 cm G4+3. Combidex clear. Seeds and IMRT, no side affects and psa .1 at 1.5 years.